Fact Check: Not all Traffic Challans will get discount on Lok Adalat

Hyderabad: The National Lok Adalat for amicable settlement of pending Civil and Compoundable cases is scheduled to take place on September 13. It provides an alternative route for the quick and cost-effective settlement of pending minor cases, including traffic challans.

Social media is buzzing with viral videos claiming that all Traffic fines can be written off or discounted heavily through Lok Adalat. These viral videos are encouraging vehicle owners to apply on National Lok Adalat to have their traffic fines discounted up to 50 per cent.

One such video was shared on Instagram with the caption, “National Lok Adalat is a forum where anyone can go according to there token number where the judge has a right to give you a concession or even waive off your challan if your contention of violating the rule is not wrong or the traffic officer issued you a challan without any merit. The Recent Lok Adalat is held on 13th September,2025 so if you have any pending challan don’t wait book your token and get it sorted.”. (Archive)

Post making a similar claim can be seen here. (Archive)

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false. National Lok Adalat does not clear all pending traffic challans or provide discounts on all minor traffic challans, only some cases are considered.

Lok Adalat, organised through National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism where disputes pending in court or at pre-litigation stage are resolved amicably. According to the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the award of a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court.

The Cyberabad Traffic Police on September 12 issued a clarification in regards to the clearing of Traffic fine through Lok Adalats. An X post by the police stated that the Lok Adalat is active but only for a few cases.

Drunken Driving, Driving without a License, Minors Driving without a License are the offences that can be addressed through Lok Adalat. All other pending traffic fines cannot be addressed here.

The X post said “Please ignore all fake messages/videos about 50% discount on all traffic challans!.. Do not believe fake news, trust only official updates from Cyberabad Traffic Police. For reporting violations: 9490617346”.

Section 200 of the new Motor Vehicles Act lists offences where fines can be paid on the spot to the police or online. But serious violations like juvenile driving without a licence or driving under the influence need a court appearance. In such cases Lok Adalat can impose a fine lower than the minimum notified amount.

Since Lok Adalats take up only cases where violators must appear before a judge, only compoundable offences will be cleared here.

Non-compoundable offences like driving without a licence, using a mobile phone while driving or driving an uninsured vehicle will not be cleared or get any discount through Lok Adalat.

Therefore, NewsMeter concludes that the viral claims are false.